How to Identify and Prevent Acute Mountain Sickness? Mountaineering is a challenging and enjoyable outdoor activity that pushes your physical and mental limits. Nepal is referred to as the “Trekker’s Paradise” and offers some of the best treks in the world. Many trekkers travel to Nepal every year to begin their trek into the Himalayas.
Altitude sickness, often known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is one of the most severe risks while trekking in Nepal. Trekkers should be aware of altitude sickness and how to treat it if they experience it while trekking in Nepal because it may lead to potentially fatal conditions if not treated properly. While trekking in Nepal, it is crucial to be aware of the hazards of altitude sickness and take the appropriate precautions to avoid them.
Causes of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)
The combination of lowered oxygen levels and lower air pressure experienced at high elevations results in acute mountain sickness. Each breath consists of fewer oxygen molecules as you continue to ascend, and the body needs to work harder to make up for this deficiency, which causes AMS symptoms.
Anyone can get AMS. However, some people are more prone than others to encounter the condition as a result of certain risk factors. People who reside at sea level, have experienced the condition before, or have a health condition affecting the heart, lungs, or central nervous system are all more likely to develop AMS.
The likelihood of getting AMS gets higher if ascending too rapidly without giving your body enough time to adapt, drinking alcohol, and using other drugs.
There is a common misconception that those who are physically fit will not be impacted by AMS, even though certain people may be more likely than others to develop the sickness. Contrary to popular belief, physically fit persons are more prone to get the condition because they are more inclined to disregard their symptoms and keep ascending.
What signs or symptoms indicate severe mountain sickness?
The symptoms of AMS can take many different forms. The degree to which the symptoms are felt will primarily rely on how fast and aggressively you ascend the mountain as well as any additional preconditions you may bring with you (such as arriving from sea level, having previous lung issues, etc.).
Almost everyone who climbs above 3000 meters experiences mild symptoms, such as light headaches, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. Lethargy, nausea, shortness of breath, and appetite loss are some more indications of altitude sickness. Another symptom is trouble sleeping; however, many individuals experience this even when they don’t have any of the other symptoms.
Mild altitude sickness often subsides quickly and is mainly your body’s attempt to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels at altitude. If you have these minor symptoms, rest, drink plenty of water, or make some ginger tea, and they should go away rather fast.
Moderate to severe altitude sickness is likely to be striking if symptoms worsen or continue, especially if a severe headache and vomiting start. This is far more dangerous. Thus the best course of action is to quickly descend to a lower height, even if it’s the middle of the night.
MILD AMS SYMPTOMS
- The feeling of faintness or dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sleeplessness
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Muscle pain
- Nausea/diarrhea
- Quick heartbeat
- Breathing difficulty
- Hands, feet, or swelling in the face
SERIOUS AMS SYMPTOMS
- Stiffness or congestion in the chest
- Confusion
- Coughing up blood
- Having difficulty walking
- Lack of balance
- Loss of color, darkening of the skin, or cyanosis (blueness)
- Breathing difficulty even while at rest
- Detachment from society or a loss of consciousness
Acute mountain sickness prevention
Before embarking on a mountaineering excursion, there are a few crucial precautions you should take to lessen your risk of developing acute mountain sickness or a more severe type of altitude sickness.
Go to the doctor to get a physical as a first step. Making a strategy to climb as safely as you can requires checking to see whether you have any prior illnesses that make you more susceptible to AMS or recognizing the ones you do. Additionally, doctors may recommend medications to aid with your adaptation. Never self-medicate, though, and always get specific directions from your doctor on how and when to take your prescription before trekking.
The next best method for preventing AMS is to gradually increase altitude while ascending from sea level. Spend a few days at 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) to kick-start the acclimatization process. Spend a little longer time acclimating if you experience any of the mild AMS symptoms. It is preferable to go back if these don’t start to get better.
From the 3,000-meter level upward, it is recommended to climb gradually. Many guides advise using a route that climbs high but sleeps low. Additionally, many professionals advise sleeping no higher than 500 vertical meters (1,640 feet) from your starting elevation at night.
Always remember to stay hydrated since everything your body accomplishes at altitude requires much more water than usual, along with adequate acclimatization. Keep in mind that you are already dehydrated if you feel thirsty.
Finally, check your health before beginning your day’s walking or climbing. You probably already have AMS, and shouldn’t climb much higher if you wake up with a headache or any other AMS symptoms.
Acute mountain sickness treatment
When treating acute mountain sickness, early diagnosis is crucial, just like with any condition. Early AMS is almost often simpler to cure.
The simplest therapy for its mildest manifestations is to just descend the mountain to lower elevations as rapidly as you can. The signs should go away on their own as soon as you leave the danger area.
However, if the symptoms do not go away, it could be required to give more oxygen. Only a licensed mountain guide or another individual with the necessary training should perform this. People with AMS may need to be transferred to a hospital and treated by doctors if their symptoms are more severe.
Altitude Sickness Medication
Some visitors to Nepal bring the drug Diamox with them. If you are just going to stay at altitude for a day or two and don’t have enough time to properly acclimate, this can be used to prevent and cure altitude sickness. However, we do not advise using drugs as a substitute for rising slowly and cautiously when trekking in general in Nepal. Such medicines can give you a false sense of security, which, if you use them for an extended period, can cause significant problems.
There are many great motives to travel to the mountains. However, it’s equally crucial to be aware of all the hazards that might arise and take all reasonable precautions to avoid them.